What is the best way to hook up sound bar? I have hdmi from cable to tv. Hdmi from tv to sound bar n optical cable from cable to soundbar. Is this ok?
36813
That'll work. What I did since I have multiple things connected to my tv (gaming system, satellite, blue ray player), I have all these things connected to my tv via HDMI cable with the tv connected to the soundbar via optical cable; I get to utilize the soundbar for all my connections this way.
36814
The best way? That is somewhat subjective. Since it appears that you only have 1 source connected to your soundbar (cable box), your way will work although I think that you are using an unnecessary HDMI cable from the TV to the soundbar. Your goal should be to get video to the TV and sound to the soundbar. Ideally, you want to make as direct a connection to the soundbar as possible from the source. If your TV doesn't have ARC, the HDMI cable from the TV to the soundbar is worthless. In your setup, it serves no purpose anyway because HDMI from the cable box to the TV gets you video and the optical cable from the cable box to the soundbar gets you direct audio. I would eliminate the HDMI cable from the TV to the soundbar since, even if your TV has ARC, your TV is probably only outputting 2 channel audio this way. You will also be keeping the HDMI IN and OUT on your soundbar open should you want to connect a BD player. Another way would be to connect your cable box to the soundbar via HDMI IN and then connect the HDMI OUT from the soundbar to the TV. No need to mix up the 2 ways. To connect multiple sources, I would recommend getting something like this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=8463&seq=1&format=2 . Good luck.
36815
Very helpful. All of my hdmi's are being used so I was wondering why I couldn't just run one optical cable from the sound bar to the tv. Looks like I can
443866
The digital optical audio cable is best for the sound bar, but you may want to used the light cable. The Bule Rigger cable was too heavy and sometimes falls out.
1377431
Have you got a cable box hooked to your tv? If you do you have to run the sound bar through the cable box or you must disable tv's sound coming through the cable box. Hope this helps.
878859
I did not use the hdmi I used the optical cable from the sound bar to my tv my 2 hdmi are used for my xbox360 and blueray player. If u can use the optical cable i would if your tv does not have that plug then you can use your hdmi to get sound and video of you need help still help send me your question
584203
You could use any of the inputs. However, I would use the Optical or HDMI input first; because they would give you the best quality sound with a current sound bar. I would use the analog, stereo input as your last option.
1317133
I stongly recommend a sound bar. The sound from the TV is quite inferior. It made a huge difference for me. I bought both TV and the sound bar here.
2112696
There is an optical output in the TV , the optical input from sound bar should be connected to the optical output of the TV. I am not sure if this will work with other TV. I think if there is an optical output, it may work.
816098
No, you connect the soundbar to your TV using the digital optical cord and then anything that is plugged into your TV through HDMI will come through the soundbar.
2032636
Actually I'm using the optical audio output from my Sony tv to the optical input of the sound bar...not sure why it wouldn't work when using the red/white output from your tv into the soundbar...all I did was hook it up and turn my TV speaker off...make sure the blue light is lit up on the soundbar when powered up...
1837022
I found the best sound was directly to my TV with an HDMI cable. I tried running an Optical Audio cable to my cable box and it caused a sound delay which was really annoying, but you can also connect the Optical cable from your TV directly to your Panasonic SoundBar, but it wasn't any better than just the HDMI to me so the less wires the better for me. Good luck with it, I love mine, I've had it a couple years now and it works great, I have another one in my theatre room.
842191
You can connect your sound bar to your p3 of 4...it connects via digital optical cable...but it's better to connect your ps3 to your TV via hdmi and your sound bar to you tv as well via the optical cable
1731508
The only way I could get my system to work was to use the optic cable. At the present time, I turn on my TV first, then my sound bar. I do have to use a desperate remote. Still working thru that issue. Otherwise, I love the sound bar. It is no true surround sound, but close enough for me at the price point.I as never able to get the system to work thru HDMI or ARC, no matter what I did, even got online. Good luck. The optic works once you hit the function key on the remote. I found out by accident, just before I was getting ready to return. Glad I didn't!!!!
2114844
My personal opinion is to always hook optical directly to TV. Then you can simply switch inputs on TV and you get sound from whatever input is active (e.g. Cable box, blue ray, gaming console).
1798299
I'm gonna say no. Just plug everything into your TV then use an optical cable to connect the tv to the soundbar. All sounds should play though the soundbar.
769864
Most digital cable boxes have optical outputs now. If yours has it, hook the optical cable between your cable box and the sound bar and you should be good to go.
2004701
This is only a problem if you are using the TV's internal receiver. Most people use an external device, such as a cable box, DVD player, or AV receiver - then output the signal to the TV. If you do this, you can send the audio output from the external device directly to your soundbar.
1159510
The sound bar will need a cable INPUT from TV AUDIO OUTPUT and should have come with one of these, optical cable, RCA or 1.5 plug.